IPL Stats: Which Players Have The Best Bowling Figures In Powerplay?

IPL Stats: Bowlers with best bowling figures and most wickets inside the powerplay in IPL history.

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IPL Stats & Records - The bowling aspect in a T20 is arguably tougher than the other since this is a batter-dominated format, and yet this is the reason why it makes the role much more crucial. 

Bowling in the powerplay churns out a challenge as the opposition batters look to score runs quickly and take advantage of the fielding restrictions. In this scenario, if a bowler is able to restrict the batters from scoring runs and even dismiss them, the bowling team takes the driving seat in the match. 

Here are the top 5 bowlers with the best bowling figures in an innings in IPL.

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#5. Dhawal Kulkarni (4/8 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2016)

In the 1st Qualifier of IPL 2016, Royal Challengers Bangalore had to chase down a target of 159 to move to the IPL Finals. Gujarat Lions' Dhawal Kulkarni however made the job tough for the home team as he took 4 wickets while bowling 3 overs inside the powerplay, giving away just 8 runs. RCB however managed to win the match in the end by 4 wickets.

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#4. Pat Cummins (4/29 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2020)

Pat Cummins grabbed eyes with his 15 crore price tag at the IPL auction, and the Australian pacer proved his worth as he picked up 4 wickets in 3 overs while Kolkata Knight Riders were defending a total of 192 in the 54th match of the IPL 2020. KKR went on to win the match by 60 runs. 

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#3. Ajit Chandila (4/9 vs Pune Warriors India, 2012)

A lanky off-spinner, Ajit Chandila grabbed attention with his hattrick in the 60th match of the IPL 2012 against Pune Warriors India. Rajasthan Royals posted a total of 170 after opting to bat first. Chandila while bowling the first over of the second innings, and dismissed Jesse Ryder and Sourav Ganguly respectively. He went on to dismiss Robin Uthappa on the first ball of his next over. Chandila took a total of 4 wickets in the 3 overs he bowled inside the powerplay and gave away just 9 runs as RR went on to win the match by 45 runs. 

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#2. Deepak Chahar (4/16 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 2021)

Indian all-rounder Deepak Chahar was a revelation at IPL 2021 and was consequently sold for Rs 14 crores in IPL 2022. In the 15th match of the IPL 2021, CSK posted a total of 220/3 after being asked to bat first and Chahar choked KKR's chances by picking up 4 wickets in his 3 overs inside the powerplay. Chahar conceded 16 runs and CSK went on to win the match by 18 runs.

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#1. Ishant Sharma (5/12 vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala, 2011)

Indian pacer with more than 100 test matches, Ishant Sharma has recored the best bowling figures for a player inside the powerplay in the IPL history. In the 32nd match of the IPL 2011, while defending a small total of 129,  Deccan Chargers bowlers Ishant Sharma and Dale Steyn joined forces as they dismantle the Kochi batting line up. Sharma took 5 wickets in the powerplay while giving away just 12 runs. His victims included the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Parthiv Patel, Raiphi Gomez, Brad Hodge & Kedar Jadhav.